Back-to-school season is nearly upon us and you know what that means: it’s time to get back into a routine with your kids! Summers are great for vacations, lazy days and tons of fun, but when it comes to the health of your smile, routine is very important. So this back-to-school season, take extra care in reestablishing your kids’ healthy dental hygiene routine. Here are a few tips to get you started!

According to Mouth Healthy, the best way to prevent cavities is to have your kids brush their teeth for two minutes twice per day, and floss once per day – at night is usually best! It’s understandable if your brushing and flossing routine has slipped a bit during the summer months, but make sure to have your kids start getting used to their routine as soon as possible. Getting started early helps you avoid arguments about not wanting to floss on a school night, and your kids will pass their fall dental checkup with flying colors.

Keep in mind that the routine may vary depending on your kids’ age. According to Colgate, for very young kids – ages 6 and younger – you may need to help them brush their teeth properly. Let them get going, but take over and make sure to get the job done right. Kids ages 7­­ to 12 should have a better idea of what they’re supposed to do when it comes to caring for their teeth, but they may not want to spend the necessary time doing so. Make sure you keep an eye on them while they brush to ensure they’re taking the care and attention needed to keep their smiles white and bright.

If you have a kid who just can’t be bothered to brush, roll the back-to-school tooth care routine into school shopping: once your child picks out his or her new notebooks and pencils, let them pick out a fancy new toothbrush and a cool flavor of toothpaste.

Once you’re ready to get started on the new routine, start practicing immediately. Bath, PJs, brush and floss, and bedtime should happen around the same time every day – and don’t wait until school starts to move bedtime up to the right time. If you get started now, you won’t have to fight with your kids to get them in bed, and they won’t be exhausted on the first day of school!

These are just a couple of tips for revamping your kids’ brushing habits in the back to school season. Keep in mind that keeping teeth healthy also requires regular checkups with your dentist, too! To book your next appointment, call Brockport Dental today at 585-589-0000 or use our online form to request an appointment now!